1
Now Boarding
“Let me help you with that.” His voice—deep, raspy, and hot against the top of my head—startles me. At the same exact time, I feel a hard chest press into my shoulders as large, masculine hands plant just beside my outstretched fingertips, effortlessly lifting my computer bag into the overhead compartment. “There you go.” The heat from his body is gone as suddenly as it appeared, leaving a crisp, clean ocean scent lingering in his wake as he moves away from me.
I shuffle back an inch, trying to give myself enough room to turn in the small space of the aisle, my heart screeching to a halt when my gaze locks onto the demi-god standing mere inches from me. Please, please, let him be sitting next to me. His eyes crinkle at the edges as they meet mine, the corners of his mouth lifting as he speaks. “You smell like roses.”
My brow creases as I absorb his words. Not what I was expecting. “Excuse me?”
“The flower.” He chuckles as my eyes take in his, so light green in color they almost look yellow, then continues. “The rose.”
“I know what a rose is.” My cheeks heat, my lips straining to lift as I continue to meet his gaze.
“And now you’re blushing like one.” His tone is playful.
“You two sitting down or what?” A gruff voice grumbles from behind my demi-god’s broad back.
“Sorry,” I call out, glancing down at my boarding pass to confirm my seat assignment. Row one, seat A. First class. An actual first for me. I gesture to my row and slip inside, settling myself in the luxurious leather next to the window. “I’m here.”
“It must be my lucky day.” He gives me that grin again as he nods, lowering himself into the seat next to mine. “I’m here.”
No, it’s definitely my lucky day. I smile, dipping my chin, busying myself with the seatbelt, trying to hide the elation I’m sure is apparent on my face. No sooner than the buckle clicks into place, a flight attendant appears. “Can I get either of you something to drink?”
I really want to take advantage of the free booze in first class, but the sun’s been out less than two hours, and I don’t want the demi-god to think I’m a complete lush. So, when he orders a spicy bloody Mary, I have to hold myself back from throwing a fist in the air to celebrate. Decision made, I request my own beverage. “I’ll have a mimosa, please.”
The attendant nods. “I’ll be back in a moment.” The second she’s out of ear-shot, the demi-god leans in my direction and whispers in a low voice, “What’s the point in being in first class if you don’t take advantage of the free alcohol?”
I turn my head, a huge grin breaking across my face. “Right?”
His expression matches mine as he straightens back in his chair. “What’s taking you to New York?”
“All my dreams coming true, hopefully.” I’m only half-joking but clarify my response. “A job interview.”
“A big one, I take it?”
“The one I’ve been working toward my entire career.”
The attendant appears, places both our drinks down on the tabletop space between our seats, and leaves. I reach for the stem of my glass, my fingertips brushing against his, electricity sparking up my arm as my eyes dart to his. One side of his mouth quirks as he raises his glass in a salute. “Cheers and best of luck on your interview.”
I clink my glass against his. “Cheers.” I take a sip, savoring the sweet, bubbly liquid a moment before my manners kick in. “And thank you.”
His head tilts, green eyes narrowing as he lowers the crystal tumbler from his mouth. His tongue sweeps across his top lip, capturing the thin layer of tomato juice from the rough scruff above it. My eyes follow the flash of pink until it disappears back inside his mouth, and I move my line of sight away as I feel my teeth grip onto the tender flesh of my own lip. Heaven help me. How am I going to sit next to this man for the next five hours? I give myself a mental shake and expand on my expression of gratitude. “For the assistance with my luggage. I forgot to say thank you.”
His head bows down in acknowledgement. “You’re welcome, Chloe.”
“Wait.” My lids squint to half-mast as I analyze him with suspicion. “How did you know my name? I haven’t introduced myself.”
One finger lifts off the surface of his glass to point at my boarding pass, still lying in my lap. “I may have taken a peek.” A deep dimple appears on the left side of his cheek, his shoulder lifting in a causal shrug as he grins at me.
“Well, aren’t you just the little snoop?” I suggest, taking another sip from my flute, my lips curving around the rim as I smile.
“They say it’s good practice now on flights to get t
o know your neighbor.” He takes another drink then elaborates. “In the event of an emergency, or what not.”
I give him an eye roll as an easy laugh bubbles out. “Then I guess you better introduce yourself, neighbor.”
His brows shoot up as he barks out a huff of laughter. “Touché.” He lowers his drink back to the tabletop between us then extends his hand in my direction. “My friends call me Fin.”